‘Oakland United’ concert will benefit warehouse fire victims

A benefit concert for victims of the warehouse fire in Oakland’s Fruitvale district last Friday night that took the lives of 36 people will be held at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Wednesday, concert organizers said.

The concert, which is called “Oakland United,” is being presented by Another Plant Entertainment and Noise Pop, along with the Paradigm Agency’s Oakland office.

Tickets for $35 and $49.50 went on sale at noon Friday on Another Planet’s website, and concertgoers are encouraged to consider an additional donation. Organizers said 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts Oakland Fire Relief Fund.

Organizers said the concert at the Fox Theater at 1807 Telegraph Ave. at 7 p.m. on Wednesday will be hosted by Josette Melchor of the Gray Area Foundation For The Arts, which started a fund shortly after the tragedy and has collected more than $500,000 so far.

They said the fund is collaborating closely with the Oakland Mayor’s office and the Red Cross and is also getting guidance from local arts institutions.

Gray Area said that when the victims’ families immediate needs are resolved it will turn its attention to longer-term issues, such as safety and resilience across the larger creative community and making efforts to ensure the tragedy isn’t repeated.

Melchor said in a statement:

“It is unfortunate that it takes a tragedy to shed light on a broader situation around the need for safe venues for artists, musicians and creatives in the Bay Area. … We will continue to increase this goal as support comes in. We want this funding to stay in the community that was impacted.”

Among the musicians who are scheduled to perform at the concert are Boots Riley of The Coup, Christopher Willits, Dan Deacon, Geographer, Hieroglyphics, Jay Som, Primus, Rogue Wave, Sidecar Tommy, Thao Nguyen, Tune-Yards and Tycho.